Stephanie Mishelle Ard

Stephanie Mishelle Ard is a storyteller behind and in-front-of the camera—Director, Writer, Actress and Producer—with a penchant for exploring the deeply sad, hilariously weird and brutally honest truths of humanity through her work. Her work spans narrative film, documentary, music videos and branded content. She hails from up and down the interminable I-35 in Central Texas, but now calls Brooklyn home. 

Stephanie’s debut short film. That Day— a deeply personal portrayal of herself at age 15, on the day of her father passing—premiered at Berlinale 2016, and went on to play the 2016-2017 festival circuit, including Hollyshorts, Austin Film Festival and the Hill Country Film Festival. She was also invited to screen her film at The Bullock Texas State History Museum’s Femme Film Fridays, which honors the work of independent female filmmakers.

For the last 8 years, Steph was a valued employee at Rooster Teeth Productions (a Warner Bros. Discovery company) where she progressed from Art Department Coordinator to Director / Producer. She co-developed and directed two seasons of the absurdly hilarious reality competition show Last Laugh, which became one of the company’s most-watched series and attributed 28,000 new subscribers to their SVOD.

She has had the opportunity to work with a variety of major brands and entertainment clients, including HBO Max, DC Comics, State Farm, Travel Channel, and Warner Bros. In 2023, she co-developed and co-directed a very unique campaign for Warner Bros. that celebrated their centennial and the studio’s DEI initiatives. Over 3 days on the WB Burbank lot and one in the Warner Bros. Discovery’s Manhattan offices, she had the pleasure of working with talent such as Zachary Levi (Shazam, Chuck), Eric Bauza (Looney Tunes) and Amrit Kaur (The Sex Lives of College Girls), as well as the many amazing young content creators that comprised Rooster Teeth’s Digital Creator Program.

Her sophomore short film, Shelly Belly, chronicles a day in the life of a plump stomach as it examines the negative thoughts and feelings its owner holds towards it. Voiced by Ariel Kavoussi (Maniac, The Marvelous Mrs. Masel), it’s a hilarious and unique examination of the body image insecurities so many of us face. Coming soon to a film festival near you!

Stephanie’s highest career aim is to tell stories that unify us around the human spirit, while continuing to create opportunities for women and underrepresented groups to work in this industry and tell their stories through film and television…and to run a company that operates on a four-day work week. 🙏

She is currently seeking Directing, Producing and Acting opportunities in the NYC area.